Key Strategies
Instead of overwhelming yourself with unstructured efforts, its better you channel your energy into these strategies that proved to deliver the maximum impact for me. The goal is to double-down on what you already know and fine-tune your approach for the big day by going over all the topics again and using mock tests to improve your section-wise strategy.
Revise Smart, Not Hard
In the final days leading up to the CAT exam, the focus should shift from solving difficult questions or completing the “previous year questions” to revising what you've already studied. There’s no point spending time learning new things or taking on new challenges. The CAT exam is less about subject knowledge and more about the strategy a person chooses to crack the test and come in the top percentile of applicants.
For Quantitative Ability (QA), I maintained a dedicated notebook where I compiled important questions, key concepts, formulas and difficult problems I encountered during my mocks. This notebook was organized topic-wise and helped me revise efficiently. Any diligent CAT aspirant will have some version of this notebook with them where he/she has all the important information written in concise manner which can be used for revision. (NOTE: if you don’t have one, there are many free Formula Books made available by popular youtubers and coaching institutions) The goal is to use this concise reference to revise, rather than spending time on "100 LOD-3" questions from every topic.
For the VARC and DILR sections, I found revising past mock questions particularly helpful. On the IMS platform, I had completed close to 30-40 mocks. There is a filter tool which allowed me, for instance, to compile all "Parajumble Questions" from the VARC section across all mocks. Now, I have a dedicated set of questions that I can quickly glance through and review. Similarly, I filtered out DILR sets by topic, allowing me to selectively focus on the most important sets for a fast and efficient revision. This method of topic-wise filtering for mock questions is an excellent way to revise your topics in the final stretch.
Mock Tests: Your Secret Weapon
A common belief in the CAT preparation community is to avoid solving mocks toward the end of your journey. However, I would recommend you to do what suits you best rather than blindly adhering to popular advice. Personally, I found solving mocks even in the final days immensely helpful. In fact, the day before the CAT exam, I solved two mocks. This not only boosted my confidence but also helped me stay sharp and reinforce my time allocation and question-solving speed.
At this stage, I didn’t spend much time analysing mocks in depth; instead, my focus was on maintaining momentum and refining my approach. If solving mocks during the final stretch doesn’t suit you, consider revisiting important questions from previously attempted mocks. Many coaching institutes introduce new types of questions in their mocks and revisiting these can be far more beneficial than focusing on previous years’ questions (PYQs), which are unlikely to repeat.
Strategy for Each Section
I attribute my success in the CAT exam to the countless mock tests I took. They were crucial in fine-tuning my strategy for approaching the paper and allocating time efficiently across sections. By the time I sat for the final exam, I had a clear plan for how much time I would spend on each part—how long to read through the questions, how much time to allocate for each Reading Comprehension (RC) and how much time to reserve for Verbal Ability (VA) and similarly for the other sections. If you’ve already developed a strategy through your mock practice, great— stick with it! If not, here’s a suggested approach that should work for most:
- VARC: Start by scanning all the RCs for the first minute or two, prioritizing the low hanging fruits first — i.e., the easier RCs. It’s important to tackle the simpler ones before moving on to the more difficult ones. After finishing the easier RCs, move on to the Verbal Ability (VA) section. Solving all RCs at once exhausted my brain, therefore, I gave myself a break from the extensive reading by solving the VA section. But remember to not spend more than 8-10 minutes on it. The goal is to save enough time for the more challenging RCs and leave room for revision before concluding the VARC section.
- DILR: Aim to attempt 2-3 doable sets instead of wasting time on difficult ones. I personally set a target of solving only two questions correctly without worrying about the rest. I would divide this section into two 20-minute blocks, dedicating the last few minutes to ensure all answers were marked correctly, minimizing any silly-mistakes.
- QA: The most effective strategy for Quantitative Ability (QA) is to approach it in rounds. In the first round, tackle the easiest questions, skipping the tougher ones. In the second round, focus on medium-level questions and in the final round, save some time to attempt the more difficult ones. It is important to recognize which questions will be time-taking but it is something which is developed in your preparation journey after solving a variety of questions across multiple levels of difficulty.
Managing Exam-Day Stress
Managing the stress in the final week before the CAT exam is crucial. I was deeply anxious, fearing that all my efforts over the past year would be judged on that one day and if I didn't perform well, I might have to repeat the whole process again next year. That thought terrified me. However, I believe, feeling nervous is completely natural—this is a high-stakes exam that could significantly impact your future. Therefore, it's vital to maintain a positive attitude.
Avoid comparing yourself to others, especially in the last week. Distance yourself from any unnecessary distractions and adopt a calm, focused mindset. If you’re currently working, consider taking a few days off to devote all your attention to the exam. Sleep is crucial—if you're used to staying up late, start adjusting your sleep schedule so you can wake up early and be fully alert during your exam slot. If your exam centre is far from your hometown, travel a day in advance to avoid any last-minute commute stress.
Last-Minute Do’s and Don’ts
DO:
- Double-check all essentials, such as your admit card, ID proof, exam centre location and other required documents. Get everything ready a day before the exam to avoid last-minute stress. Be extra prepared and don’t take these things lightly.
- If you're in the 2nd or 3rd slot, watch the CAT Exam Analysis on YouTube before entering the exam hall. Many CAT experts go live on the day of the exam to discuss the questions asked in the previous slot. I remember watching these videos on my way to the exam centre to get a sense of what I was about to face. A friend of mine in CAT 2023 misinterpreted an odd-one-out question in the VA section as a parajumble because he hadn’t read the instructions carefully. Watching the YouTube analysis informed me about the new question type, which made me more cautious when I encountered it in the paper.
- Plan your commute to the exam centre well in advance to avoid any last-minute hassles.
DON'T:
- Don’t experiment with new methods or resources now. Stick to what you already know and are comfortable with.
- Avoid comparing your mock scores with those of your friends or other aspirants. Everyone’s preparation journey is different.
- Don’t assume that your mock scores will reflect your final exam performance. Many of us score better on the actual exam than in the mocks. Stay positive, stay focused and give your best.
Conclusion
As the CAT exam approaches, the final stretch is all about consolidating your preparation, managing stress and staying calm. Trust the work you've put in throughout the past year and focus on refining your strategies in the last few days. Whether it's revising key concepts, practicing mock tests, or managing your time effectively during the exam, remember that success is a combination of smart effort and a positive mindset. The goal is to be prepared, confident and ready to perform at your best.
"Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out." – Robert Collier
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